So the math TEKS changed for high school this year and everything is going to a be a little different. Besides the 30 minute training I had in May while all I could think about was ACPs and summer, I don't know much about them. Hence while I am starting my planning for the year as summer winds down, I have had to spend some time really going over the new standards. They are pretty different. Units and plans from last year can pretty much be tossed aside because the organization and timing, not to mention the content, is much different. Although us teachers are programmed to hate change, I think these changes are positive. Not only have I found them to be more organized and clear, the process standards give teachers more opportunity to implement teaching strategies in their class. The seven process standards ensure that students are exploring, using manipulative, communicating ideas, and applying math in different ways. My brain is already ticking with lessons I can design this year that meet this standards. Although why do TEKS repeat every six weeks. I understand that a topic may be important and taught over the year but if you want me to teach how to find slope for quadratics and linear equations, why is that not two separate TEKS? Tell me exactly what should be taught for that TEK, don't make me guess!! This isn't a new problem with these TEKS. The old TEKS were the same and it actually got better in the new standards.
The year will not be all butterfly's and rainbows with the new TEKS though. We have to figure out a way to fill in the gaps of knowledge students will have coming into the year. With a calendar map already packed with the standards required, its going to be hard to find the time go over the content that was pushed down this year. But lets be real, not enough time and students that are behind, what else is new? So in all it looks positive. Not that I have started teaching them yet, but from a planning sense the standards finally make some sense to me. I'll let you know how the implementation goes.
The year will not be all butterfly's and rainbows with the new TEKS though. We have to figure out a way to fill in the gaps of knowledge students will have coming into the year. With a calendar map already packed with the standards required, its going to be hard to find the time go over the content that was pushed down this year. But lets be real, not enough time and students that are behind, what else is new? So in all it looks positive. Not that I have started teaching them yet, but from a planning sense the standards finally make some sense to me. I'll let you know how the implementation goes.
RSS Feed